half past nomad

I was supposed to be in Madina right now but due to the massive construction in Mecca, umrah visas are limited.

I was supposed to be living there for 10+ days but that hasn’t happened.

It’s very odd for me. After 3 years, my first Ramadan with the family. It’s not wrong, it’s just plain odd. I’m used to sleeping in the Masjid Nabawi, making sure my father is OK, biting my tongue, eating 1/8th the food I usually do (and feeling amazing at the same time), meeting incredibly magical new people and so much more.

This year, friends of mine got a private tour of the Masjid. They went to the spot where Umra R.A. died, they learnt about the history of the city. I know what that feels like. I remember the marble beneath my floors. The early morning smell inside the masjid. The sight of those giant domes silently opening and closing. I remember helping others drink zamzam moments before Fajr. The smiles of sharing tea inside the masjid. The superbly generous “average” Saudis.

I have often heard people make dua, asking Allah (SWT) to let them come to Mecca/Madina.
I just didn’t understand what it meant until this Ramadan. I need to go back.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 29th, 2013 at 1:31 am and is filed under General Lee.